Safety & Health Investment Projects (SHIP) Grant Program

The Safety and Health Investment Projects (SHIP) Grant Program is administered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, specifically through its Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). SHIP provides funding to support initiatives that prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities across Washington State. It also funds innovative return-to-work (RTW) programs aimed at minimizing disability durations for injured workers. Since its inception, SHIP has funded over 150 projects, emphasizing the creation and dissemination of tools, training, and strategies that improve occupational safety. The SHIP program prioritizes projects that address key occupational risks and promote partnerships between employers, employees, and related associations. Grants are awarded up to $150,000 per project, with performance periods not to exceed 18 months. Projects must align with safety and health innovation and accessibility standards under state policy, specifically WCAG 2.1 A and AA for digital content. SHIP encourages proposals with scalable digital solutions and particularly welcomes those that focus on high-risk sectors and underserved worker populations, including multicultural and multilingual communities. Applicants must ensure all products developed remain in the public domain, meaning they cannot be patented or copyrighted. Additionally, the application must include detailed work plans, budgets, subject matter expert (SME) involvement, and demonstrate how the proposed efforts differ from existing public resources. Special consideration is given to projects that address emerging safety issues, foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, or support small businesses in Washington. Eligible applicants include employers covered by L&I workers’ compensation, industry associations, labor unions, educational institutions, and third-party organizations collaborating with eligible entities. Ineligible applicants may qualify by partnering with a suitable entity. All applicants must comply with strict submission standards, including digital accessibility, documented roles and qualifications of team members, and complete budget transparency. A pre-application partner agreement and supporting documentation such as resumes, letters of support, and detailed work plans are expected. Applications are being accepted now and must be received by January 15, 2026. Projects approved for this cycle are expected to begin around April 2026. Recipients must attend an orientation either in Tumwater or virtually. All submissions are to be sent to the SHIP program at [email protected]. The physical mailing address is PO Box 44612, Olympia, WA 98504-4612, and inquiries can be made by phone at 360-902-5588. Materials submitted will not be returned, and all ideas and products created under the grant will be available freely to the public.

Prioritize accessibility; include SMEs in safety and digital ADA compliance; build scalable, public-domain tools; focus on underserved worker populations and emerging safety issues.